‘God bless’ sign taken down in New York (October 10, 2018)

A sign with the phrase “God Bless Our Veterans” has been removed from public property in New York, thanks to an FFRF letter.

FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor sent a letter in July to Mayor Michael J. Newhard of Warwick, N.Y., after a local resident reported that the religious sign was placed on village property.

“FFRF has no objection to honoring our veterans — in fact, over 24 percent of our members are either active duty military or veterans,” Gaylor wrote in the letter. “Our objection is to the endorsement of religion in violation of the Establishment Clause.”

FFRF asked that the sign be removed and replaced with a message that is inclusive of all veterans, such as “Support Our Veterans.” The mayor sent a response on Oct. 10 informing FFRF that the sign had come down.